Easel

ABSTRACT

An easel formed by vertical side walls, a slidably mounted horizontal shelf and a panel pivotally mounted above said shelf at its upper ends between said side walls to divide the space between said side walls into a front operating area and a rear storage area.

United States Patent Sargeant [451 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] EASEL 80,749 8/1868 Levering ..312/230 I e o Lane L- s g i g Hal'gens X ati Umbetger X 1,148,616 8/1915 Paul et al. ..35/62 [22] F1led: April 10, 1969 1,272,645 7/1918 Fanning ..35/62 X 1,416,555 5/1922 Hall ..312/230 X [21] 814972 2,726,460 12/1955 Jecmen ..35/63 x [52] U.S. Cl. ..108/60, 35/62, 312/312 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin [51] Int. Cl. ..A2lb 1/00 Assistant Examiner-George H. Krizmanich [58] Field of Search...108/60, 61; 211/184; 312/230, 312/312, 330, 258; 248/457, 441; 35/60, 62,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,810,618 10/1957 Larsen ..312/312 3,300,917 1/1967 Bartley et a1 ..108/60 3,389,947 6/1968 Kelley et al. ..312/258 9,409 11/1852 Richter ..35/26 Attorney-Wood, Herron & Evans [5 7] ABSTRACT An easel formed by vertical side walls, a slidably mounted horizontal shelf and a panel pivotally mounted above said shelf at its upper ends between said side walls to divide the space between said side walls into a front operating area and a rear storage area.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures EASEL This invention relates to an easel and is particularly directed to an easel suitable for use by small children in a classroom.

In the primary grades where art is taught, children paint with brushes on a sheet supported on a vertical panel set on an ease] and they engage in finger painting and the like on horizontal surfaces generally provided by the tables normally found in classrooms. At the conclusion of the painting period, the works of art must be stored out of the way of the succeeding classroom activity. These requirements have generally resulted in a clutter of easel structures, paintings hung to dry and paint slopped tables. A further requirement, adding to the confusion, is to provide separate storage for the art supplies all of which must be taken out at the beginning of the class and then returned to storage at the end of class.

An objective of the present invention has been to provide a structure wherein all of the functions referred to above are accommodated in a single easel. Several of such easels may be joined in side-by-side relation to form a line of easels located at the side of the classroom. Each easel has distinct work areas for horizontal and vertical painting, has a storage facility for the painting supplies, and has storage area for the completed paintings. The storage area for the completed paintings is hidden from view so that after the art period, the paintings are conveniently removed to the storage area thereby eliminating them as an aesthetic or functional distraction from the classroom and its activities.

More specifically the easel of the invention comprises two side walls having a generally vertical panel pivotally mounted at its upper edge between the side walls. A horizontal panel is slideably mounted below the vertical panel. The space above the horizontal panel and behind the vertical panel forms a storage area for which horizontal rods provide hangers over which the wet paintings can be hung to dry. Below the horizontal panel is a drawer for the storage of painting supplies.

The easel of the present invention conveniently presents the proper surfaces for the two major painting operations. In one, the vertical wall is swung forwardly and the horizontal shelf is recessed so that the child can stand close to the vertical panel to paint on a sheet mounted on the vertical panel. In the other, the vertical panel is swung rearwardly and the horizontal shelf is pulled to its forwardly extended position. Thus, the rearward disposition of the vertical panel coupled with the forward extension of the horizontal panel provides a maximum surface area for horizontal painting.

The several features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing three easels of the present invention disposed in a line,

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through one of the easels,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2.

The easel is indicated generally at and includes two side walls 11 and 12 between which a vertical panel 13 and a horizontal panel 14 are mounted. Behind the vertical panel 13 is a storage area 15. Below the horizontal panel 14 is an outwardly slideable drawer 16 used for the storage of art supplies.

Each side wall has rear edges 20 and front edges 21,

the upper portion 22 of the front edge being downwardly and forwardly inclined. The side walls provide substantially the entire support for the easel structure.

The vertical panel 13 is pivoted at its upper end 23 to the front upper corners 24 of the side walls. The pivotal mounting structure is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and includes a horizontal rod 25 which extends between the two side walls. The rod 25 projects through a bracket 26 fixed on each side of the rear surface of the panel 13. Each bracket is of rectangular configuration and presents a vertical slot 27 which permits the panel 13 to be lifted vertically with respect to the rod.

The lower end 29 of the panel 13 is selectively engageable with any of four pairs of pegs 30 which are fixed to the inside surface of the side walls and are located on an arcuate line 31 having as its center the rod 25. These pegs permit the panel to be positioned in any one of several positions. For example, when the panel rests upon the forwardmost pair of pegs, its front surface lies substantially flush with the inclined edge portion 22 of the side walls and is in position for vertical painting. In this position no interference is caused by outwardly projecting side walls. When the panel is swung rearwardly and rests on the rearmost pegs, the horizontal shelf 14 is most fully exposed for horizontal painting. The intermediate pegs provide optional positions.

Fastening devices, such as clips 33, located at the upper front corners of the panel 13 secure the paper in operative position for painting. A pair of headed studs 34 project from the front surface at the lower end of the panel 13 to receive a removable paint tray 35. The paint tray has keyhole slots 36 by which it is mounted to the headed studs 34. Preferably the front surface of the panel 13 as well as the upper surface of the panel 14 is covered with a durable composition such as Formica.

The horizontal shelf has side edges 40 which are slidably mounted in tracks 41 formed by channel members fixed to the side walls. A forward block 42 and a rearward block 43 are mounted on the bottom surface of the horizontal panel. The forward block is engageable with a cross brace 44 extending between the side walls adjacent their front edges. The rearward block 43 is engageable with a cross brace 45 extending between the side walls adjacent their rear edges 20. The engagement of the blocks 42, 43 with their respective braces determines the position of the horizontal panel 14 in its extended position when used for horizontal painting and in its recessed position (to the left as viewed in FIG. 2) when it is in a storage position.

The drawer 16 is preferably deep and is mounted on slides 47 which are fixed to the inside surfaces of the side walls. The drawers are mounted immediately below the horizontal shelf and is easily accessible when the shelf is returned to its recessed position.

The storage compartment 15 is equipped with racks in the form of horizontal rods 49 which extend between and are supported by the side walls 11 and 12. As shown in FIG. 2, completed paintings 50 are hung over the rods 49 to dry or at least to be in storage and out of the way of the classroom activity.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of easels are adapted to be mounted in side-by-side relation to form a line of work areas in a convenient grouping for the supervising teacher. In this grouping each inward side wall functions to support the two adjacent easels. This construction admits of some economy in eliminating one side wall and provides a rigid and neat structure for the classroom.

In the operation of the invention, the three'principal conditions of the invention are illustrated in FIG. 1. The center position shows the easel in inoperative or storage condition wherein 'the front vertical panel hangs perpendicular to the horizontal panel which is recessed. In the right-hand easel, the horizontal panel has been projected slightly to provide a support for supplies if necessary. The vertical panel 13 has been pivoted to its forward position where it lies flush with the inclined edges 22 of the side walls. Thus, the painter has unobstructed access to his painting indicated at 55. Paints indicated at 56 are preferably contained in the paint tray 35 to minimize the possibility of their being inadvertently knocked to the floor.

The alternate form of painting is illustrated in the left-hand easel. There the vertical panel 13 is shown swung to its rearmost position wherein it is held by the pegs 30. As indicated, the shifting of the angular position of the panel 13 is effected simply by lifting the panel, as permitted by the slot 27 engagement of the rod 25 until the panel is out of the way of the pegs and then swinging the panel to the desired position. The horizontal shelf 14 has been pulled to its most extended position wherein it is stopped by the engagement of the block 42 with the brace 44. In this position, maximum 3 area for painting is provided. The paint tray 35 can be removed to expose even more area for painting or, if desired, it can be retained on the vertical panel.

When the painting is completed, the paintings are hung on the storage rods 49 and the vertical and horizontal panels are returned to the condition indicated in the center easel of FIG. 1.

I claim:

1. A combined easel and sheet storing structure for painting comprising, two spaced vertical said walls of substantial width, and having front and rear edges,

a generally vertical sheet-supporting panel pivoted at its upper end between said side walls adjacent the front edges of said side walls and spaced forwardly of the rear edges of said side walls such that the area defined by the side walls and the rear surface of said vertical panel forms a storage area extending a substantial distance rearwardly of said vertical panel and which is open at the rear and top of the easel,

a plurality of sheet-supporting horizontal rods behind said vertical panel extending between the upper ends of said side walls and being spaced horizontally of each other providing rack means for temporarily storing painted sheets,

and a horizontal shelf extending between said side walls and located immediately below said vertical panel.

2.Ane elaccor in t cai lfurtherco r in means or mountiiig aih or i zontal shelf f r s rdagle movement between a forward position in which it projects forwardly beyond the front edges of said side walls to provide a maximum working surface in combination with a rearwardly, inclined angular position of the vertical panel, and a rearward position in which it is disposed within the confines of said side walls.

3. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising,

a horizontal rod extending between said side walls at the upper front corner portion thereof,

a pair of brackets mounted on the rear surface of said panel at the upper corners thereof, each said bracket including a vertical slot receiving said rod and forming a pivotal mounting for said rod which permits said panel to be moved vertically,

and at least two pairs of pegs projecting inwardly from the lower portions of said side walls and engageable by said panel,

whereby the angular position of said panel can be changed by lifting said panel out of the way of said pegs, shifting said panel angularly, and lowering said panel to a position wherein its movement is restricted by engagement with said pegs.

4. An easel according to claim 1 wherein each said side wall has forwardly and downwardly inclined front edges at the upper portion thereof.

5. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising a drawer 1 slidably mounted immediately below said horizontal shelf.

6. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising,

support means fixed on the lower edge portion of said vertical panel,

and a tray removably mountable on said support means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 9F (IQRECTEN Patent No. ,680,497 Dated August 1., 1972 Inventor(s) Jane L- Sargeant It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The name of the inventor appears as "Lane" and should be changed to Jane Signed and sealed this 30th day of January 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,J'R. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1OSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC GONG-P69 a 11.5, aovnnulm' PRINTING omcn Ion o-au-au 

1. A combined easel and sheet storing structure for painting comprising, two spaced vertical said walls of substantial width, and having front and rear edges, a generally vertical sheet-supporting panel pivoted at its upper end between said side walls adjacent the front edges of said side walls and spaced forwardly of the rear edges of said side walls such that the area defined by the side walls and the rear surface of said vertical panel forms a storage area extending a substantial distance rearwardly of said vertical panel and which is open at the rear and top of the easel, a plurality of sheet-supporting horizontal rods behind said vertical panel extending between the upper ends of said side walls and being spaced horizontally of each other providing rack means for temporarily storing painted sheets, and a horizontal shelf extending between said side walls and located immediately below said vertical panel.
 2. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising, means for mounting said horizontal shelf for slidable movement between a forward position in which it projects forwardly beyond the front edges of said side walls to provide a maximum working surface in combination with a rearwardly, inclined angular position of the vertical panel, and a rearward position in which it is disposed within the confines of said side walls.
 3. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising, a horizontal rod extending between said side walls at the upper front corner portion thereof, a pair of brackets mounted on the rear surface of said panel at the upper corners thereof, each said bracket including a vertical slot receiving said rod and forming a pivotal mounting for said rod which permits said panel to be moved vertically, and at least two pairs of pegs projecting inwardly from the lower portions of said side walls and engageable by said panel, whereby the angular position of said panel can be changed by lifting said panel out of the way of said pegs, shifting said panel angularly, and lowering said panel to a position wherein its movement is rEstricted by engagement with said pegs.
 4. An easel according to claim 1 wherein each said side wall has forwardly and downwardly inclined front edges at the upper portion thereof.
 5. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising a drawer slidably mounted immediately below said horizontal shelf.
 6. An easel according to claim 1 further comprising, support means fixed on the lower edge portion of said vertical panel, and a tray removably mountable on said support means. 